Second-alarm fire ravages rural home in Farmington Monday

FARMINGTON – Firefighters are looking into what caused a two-alarm fire that destroyed a Hawthorne Hill Road home Monday night.

Police, firefighters and emergency personnel responded to 59 Hawthorne Hill Road at 10:13 p.m. By the time firefighters arrived, heavy fire had enveloped the 2½ story home.

Fire Chief Richard Fowler said firefighters sounded a second alarm to bring in additional fire trucks to transport water to the scene.

"We could always use extra personnel, but the primary reason was the tankers," Fowler said.

The fire was about four to five miles from the nearest water supply, a hydrant to the south in Rochester.

Fowler said local crews were assisted at the scene by firefighters from Alton, Barnstead, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Rochester, Strafford and Wolfeboro. Somersworth firefighters provided station coverage.

Paramedics from Frisbie Memorial Hospital responded to the scene, but Fowler said there were no injuries.

Fowler praised the decision at the last town meeting approving purchase a new fire engine. The telescoping lights on the new engine were a crucial asset at the fire Monday.

"It lit up the fire grounds like a football field," Fowler said, the light enabled firefighters to move around safely and avoid debris.

"We appreciate all we get from the town. They've been very supportive of the fire department," Fowler said.

Fowler said firefighters were able to prevent the fire from damaging a 1968 Ford and spreading to the nearby garage, which sustained some melted siding due to the heat from the home.

"The car and the garage were steaming, but the wind was going our way," Fowler said. "If it wasn’t, we probably would have lost it."

Fowler said the home was reduced to charred rubble but was insured.

Firefighters returned to the scene Tuesday to spray a thick layer of foam into the ruins to extinguish remaining hotspots.